Chairman’s Chit Chat November 2023
The attic in our house is not often visited.
Recently I had occasion to venture there. This followed a visit to Waterstones (other bookshops are available). There was credit left on a gift voucher I had been given last Christmas and thought I had better use it up before the expiry date. A very blissful hour was spent perusing the shelves in the history section. In the end two excellent purchases were made. The updated edition of “Richard III: The Maligned King” by Annette Carson and the latest publication by Ben Macintyre “A Spy Among Friends.”
There was a growing pile of read books on my bedside table.
So, rather than adding the new acquisitions to the European book mountain, the decision was made that the read books should join their cousins in the attic – yet another box to swell the increasing number of booked filled boxes already there.
One of the reasons the attic is not often visited is because it is not easy to access; in fact, it is a bit of a faff getting up there. First, the little extendable ladder has to be dug out from the back of the garage and given a thorough dusting off. Then it is lugged up the stairs to the landing. The next step is to extend it by a few rungs, followed by leaning it against the wall. Climb, very gingerly, up the ladder to heave aside the hatch – then climb down the ladder and extend it by another couple of rungs, so that the top protrudes above the aperture.
Although the attic was boarded out a number of years ago, we did not install any lighting, which I now realise was a big mistake. To see what I am doing I need to wear a head torch.
At this stage we have a point of entry and a means of illumination.
Now it is time to convey the box of books to that space, usually locked away out of sight and unloved in the gods of the house. With great caution the assent begins. The box, half resting on the top of my head, is sort of pushed upwards as I climb. After a few little wobbles, I reach journey’s end unscathed. I am now in a strange twilight world inhabited by dead wasps and, judging by the size of them, well-fed house spiders but thankfully no rodents either alive or dead.
The box of books is deposited in its place and the “up” process is done in reverse. Climb down to the landing, reduce the ladder by a couple of rungs, lean it against the wall – and climb back up to haul the hatch back into position. You know the rest.
Is it little wonder the attic in our house is not often visited with a performance like that?